Saturday, 23 April 2011

Golden Ham.

It's been another glorious extended weekend. The first of two back to back bank holidays. Some of the students have been working hard at the community Easter events at Ham house. The marking is in and it's now just the productions to get through before the end of another academic year.

We went out for a walk in the Ham lands in the early evening light. It was exquistely beautiful, the river turned to gold, sparkling and dancing. The sky cloudless and as unnaturally blue as a 70s polaroid. Although I've lived here for nearly two years now I've never quite got my barings in the paths and tracks between the estate and the Thames; the curve in the river making it almost impossible to judge the way.

The lands are alive with wildlife: foxes, parakeets and herons. In a previously unexplored section we found a badger's set amongst the dried reeds.

It's almost impossible to believe you're anywhere near London as you wander through the deserted woodland, with only the gentle sound of the river lapping against the bank to guide you.

About Me

Mark is the Academic Director of the Drama Programmes at St Mary's University in Twickenham. He has worked internationally as a theatre director and educator for the past 15 years, focused mostly on youth, community, and conflict resolution work.

As a lecturer Mark taught at Goldsmiths College, Coventry University and was Head of Performing Arts at Canterbury College prior to joining St Mary’s in 2006.

His Professional directing credits include Henry V (One of US?) and Valhalla for RSC Education; The Wind in the Willows, Jack Cade, The Red, Red Robin for Sevenoaks Playhouse; Tender Souls, The Quality of Mercy and Playhouse Creatures for the Ambassadors Theatre group.

Mark is a director of subVERSE Theatre company for whom has directed fringe premieres of Chief, Dinnertime and OxfamC**t at Theatre 503.

Site specific work includes Purka and Shadow on Icelandic volcanoes and Novocento with students from the University of Genoa.